Today, Forward Alex Morgan took to the pitch for her first training session with the Orlando Pride. Training for the team began on Monday, but for Morgan and Goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris, this was day one.
“First day was good,” Morgan said after training. “It was great meeting some of the players that I hadn’t met before and getting my first training under my belt, getting the nerves out.”
As one of the best soccer players in the world, it is natural that Morgan would take on a role as a leader for this squad. And while Morgan was a little hesitant in the beginning of training, she started giving more and more direction as training went on. “Obviously I want to learn everyone’s name before I’m totally vocal,” Morgan said with a smile.
Morgan brings a lot of experience to the team, not only in the NWSL but as a starter for the U.S Women’s National Team. With a lot of the players on the team new to professional soccer, it makes sense that they would take their cues from the veteran players. “Other than the other national team players...I feel like a lot the other players are younger,” Morgan said. “So, I feel like they are kind of looking to us for direction.”
Morgan will only have a couple of training sessions before the first preseason match this Saturday against Eastern Florida State College. But Morgan says that she is excited for it. “I’m looking forward to seeing the quality we’re at now and then looking forward.”
